his opposition to extending the upper-income tax cuts. the american people support that approach and we should not cave in to pressure. i'd also urge the president and congressional leaders to work to include the buffett rule principles in any deficit deal. letting the upper-income tax cuts expire and ensuring mult imillion dollar earners pay a fair share will assure the american people that we are working for them and not the special interests, as we allocate the burden of addressing our deficits. thank the chair. i yield the floor. i note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: mr. whitehouse: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from rhode island. mr. whitehouse: can i that the pending quorum call be lifted. officer without objection. mr. whitehouse: i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes each. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. whitehouse: madam president,